Gaming

Holiday 2020 is gearing up to be a true battle of the console giants: PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X. Gamers have been discussing specifications, components, power, exclusive titles, backwards compatibility and more to decide which console could be classed as the better prospect. But if Sony doesn’t take a hit on the initial PS5 console run then Microsoft could utilize its superior financial strength to make sure the XSX wins the next-gen console contest.

AMD may be impressing with its Renoir architecture, but Intel still has a stranglehold over the high-end laptop market. With NVIDIA seemingly reserving its RTX 20 SUPER GPUs for Intel-powered machines, they still may be the best bet if you are in the market for a high-end gaming laptop this year.

GameStop is running a big sale on pre-owned consoles, accessories, and games. The stars of the sale are pre-owned Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro consoles, which are going for US$229.99 and $269.99, respectively.

Microsoft has announced what could be its last limited-edition Xbox One X console before the arrival of the all-new Series X console late this year. The new Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition bundle comes with an elaborate design including bespoke controller and a copy of the game.

A reveal trailer for the game Observer: System Redux has been shared on YouTube highlighting “next-gen graphics”. However, a clip showing a graphics comparison between the original PC version and upcoming PlayStation 5 version has been met with mixed opinions from viewers, although there are glimpses of the PS5’s ray-tracing power on show.

Microsoft’s next major update to Windows 10 will land in May. The new update brings some useful features to users including Cloud reset as well as the much anticipated DirectX 12 Ultimate with improved raytracing support.

Lenovo's gaming brand Legion has become linked to an entry into the motherboard space. Apparently, it will kick things off in this vein with those for Intel Comet Lake and Comet Lake-S processors. This leak is based on images of boards with corresponding chipsets for both series.

On the look out for a new GPU that fits your small form factor PC? Well, the RX 5500 XT from ASRock could be your best bet. Packing 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM running at 14 Gbps and a Navi 14 GPU that clocks up to 1,845 MHz, then RX 5500 XT Challenger ITX 8G should outperform those GDDR6 GTX 1650 refreshes.

Some PlayStation 4 consoles have reportedly been rendered inoperable by the latest software update. The 7.50 firmware allegedly forces some consoles into a boot loop. Other users state that their disk drives stopped working after installing the update.

A community project posted has turned a humble Raspberry Pi into a working Pipboy. Loosely based on the Pipboy 2000 MK VI, the project features a 3.5-inch display, a powerbank and a rotary encoder.

Say goodbye to names like the Legion Y540, Y545, Y740, or even the L340 or T490. Lenovo wants to use fewer numbers to be more comprehensible and clear-cut to potential buyers who may not be familiar with Lenovo's older naming convention.

Apparently, we now own advanced enough computers to smoothly run not only the original Crysis, but even a remastered version! Crytek will be updating the original title with new graphic elements, high-quality textures and native hardware ray tracing.

Normally, part of the object of a Raid Battle in Pokemon GO is that the player physically visits a Gym in order to take part in such an event. However, for those still under lockdown as a result of Covid-19, this is obviously impossible. Niantic will address this by rolling out new Remote Passes that can be used at home.

CD Projekt Red has once again commented on the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077. The company is likely to disappoint potential buyers of a next-generation console, though.

iQOO is currently setting its latest Neo-series smartphone up for launch on April 23, 2020. It has been through the AnTuTu benchmark beforehand, which reveals a decently high score as may be expected of a Snapdragon 865-powered device. It is also touted as having a 144Hz display, which may have come into play during this test.

Lenovo gets super serious with gamers by offering easy overclocking and voltage adjustments, vapor chamber cooling, surface temperature probes, 10th gen Core i9 CPUs, and the brand new GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q.

[Update: AMD Legion 5 will start at $759 USD] The AMD version will save you almost $100 over the Intel version, but it'll be missing a few GPU and display features in the process.

If the new Legion laptops are asking for too much, then the affordable IdeaPad can still net users the benefits of a 10th gen Intel CPU and the brand new GeForce GTX 1650 Ti without cracking the $1000 mark.

A new report has stated that Sony is considering a limited production run initially for the PlayStation 5. Apparently, 5-6 million units could be made available by March 2021, with the figure being affected by the cost of the console’s components that will in turn influence the eventual retail price. A high price would likely reduce demand for the PS5.

Although not a visual feast in the past, Minecraft finally gets ray-traced shadows, impressive reflective water, real-time caustics, and multiple atmospheric effects thanks to NVIDIA's RTX technology and the new levels that add a whole new level of depth and detail to the Windows version of this popular game.

NVIDIA originally launched the GeForce GT 700 series in 2013, but the Kepler architecture has returned seven years on. Released by Asus, the "new" GeForce GT 710 has 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM, 192 CUDA cores, a 954 MHz base clock and four HDMI ports.

Will the new Nvidia GeForce Super Max-Q GPUs be any relevant in the laptop space? There isn't a lot of room and some performance overlap could be inevitable based on our benchmarks on almost 100 different GeForce RTX laptops already in the market.

Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey are now free to download, no PS Plus required. Part of the Play at Home Initiative, the two games will be free from April 15 20:00 PDT through May 5 20:00 PDT. Sony has earmarked US$10 million to support indie developers, too.

HP is bringing 45 W Renoir processors to its OMEN 15 laptops. Spotted on benchmarking websites and support documentation, the 15-en0xxx will offer at least either the Ryzen 5 4600H or Ryzen 7 4800H. Multiple NVIDIA GPUs are likely in the pipeline too, with the GTX 1660 Ti having already been confirmed.

Simply NUC is trying its hand at 15.6-inch laptop models with the latest SNUC Book lineup developed in collaboration with Intel. Users can choose to add up to 64 GB of RAM, up to 4 TB of M.2 storage and may go with either a GTX 1660 Ti or an RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU. All variants are powered by Intel's i7-9750H CPU and come with a Thunderbolt 3 connector.

The next Apple TV refresh looks set to bring with it Apple’s next-generation A14 SoC according to a fresh rumor. Also on the cards is an Apple HomePod with a display along the lines of a Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show after code examinations shows that Apple has switch to tvOS for the HomePod operating system.

GPD has been slowly drip-feeding general information and technical details about the upcoming Win Max handheld console lately. Images of the device’s motherboard have just been posted online and somewhat scant updates in regard to the price and campaign release for the handheld computer have also been offered.

Rumour has it that Nintendo is developing two new Switch models, with one having been spotted in new firmware. Previously rumoured to be using a custom NVIDIA Volta GPU, the model is said to be based on the Tegra X1+ instead. The device has a secondary display of sorts too, and may feature alongside a docked-only console codenamed Calcio.

The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is now shipping and for as little as US$999.99. The Ryzen 7 4800H-powered machine has a 15.6-inch 144 Hz panel, but there is also the 17.3-inch A17 if you would like something larger.

The latest firmware update for the Nintendo Switch (version 10.0.0) brings a bevy of new features, including the ability to completely remap the Joy-Con and Pro controllers and the ability to transfer data (including games) from the Switch's internal storage to an SD card.

The covers and cases for games for the PlayStation 5 have become the latest design aspect of the next-generation console that talented fans have decided to focus on, with some settling for square-shaped concepts and others preferring a more rectangular approach to the all-important case design. Square-shaped cases for games were common with the original PlayStation.

International pre-orders for the earlier announced Nubia RedMagic 5G — successor to the RedMagic 3 and 3S — begin on the 4th of April, with the official release date set for the 21st of April. RedMagic is running a "blueprint" buying pre-order event, granting holders the right to purchase the device on launch and providing a discount.

Razer has lined up a treat for Pokémon fans with the launch of its new themed Hammerhead variant. Targeted specifically at the Pokémon crazy Chinese market, the new headphones will undoubtedly also attract interest from die-hard fans everywhere.

Lenovo is now linked to the release of a new smartphone that will be part of its iconic Legion gaming brand. A new, allegedly official, poster that indicates an unfeasible-looking charging rate for this device has found its way onto Weibo. However, it is at odds with the speed the OEM had mentioned earlier.

Capcom is reportedly working on a remake of Resident Evil 4. While few details are known, the success of the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes have likely spurred Capcom to continue releasing remakes of its storied survival horror series.

The OPPO Ace2 has been introduced via live-stream in China today (April 13, 2020), as promised. The new Snapdragon 865-powered phone launched alongside the AirVOOC charger, a new accessory that supports 40-watt (W) wireless power. Its OEM also debuted new TWS earbuds at this event.

Vivo's iQOO sub-brand makes the Neo series of smartphones: gaming-focused devices based on flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Now, the company has announced its 3rd generation. This phone will stand alongside the Red Magic 5G at the top of the current mobile display refresh-rate charts.

Details about Godfall, an exclusive title for the PlayStation 5, have surfaced on the ResetEra forums. Godfall will not be compatible with the PlayStation 4 but will look to harness the complete power of the PS5's CPU and GPU for an immersive gaming experience. Whether alienating an entire generation of console players will pay off or not is something that remains to be seen.

An observant Reddit user has offered up a timely reminder about the speed of the upcoming PlayStation 5’s SSD. In a demo from last year, a PS5 devkit thrashed a PS4 Pro in a loading and rendering comparison using Marvel’s Spider-Man as the test game. However, it seems many have forgotten that this PS4 Pro-whupping devkit was actually a “low-speed” variant.

Be prepared for lots of Core i7-10750H and Ryzen 7 4800HS comparisons soon. The MSI GP75, GE75, GS75 and more with Intel 10th gen H-series CPUs are available for pre-order with the same ship date as the competing AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS.

The latest update to the AltStore/AltServer iOS app allows users to sideload their own IPA files without the need for Jailbreak or the worries of possible revokes. AltStore uses a method that exploits the app developer license system to circumvent the potential for revokes. As such, AltStore users can now install any app, even those not on the App Store, on their iPhones permanently.

Import sales of Animal Crossing: New Horizons have been halted and banned in China. Though the reasons for the ban are still unknown, a likely cause is the use of the game's online features by protestors to speak out against the Chinese Communist Party.

NVIDIA is bringing its Turing architecture to its GeForce MX series, an example of which has now appeared on 3DMark. Sporting a 540 MHz base clock and 2 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, the possible GeForce MX450 is based on the TU117 GPU, the same found in the GTX 1650 and GTX 1650 Max-Q.

OPPO has officially announced that it will launch a new phone called the Ace2 later in April 2020. This device is also slated to support a 90 hertz (Hz) refresh rate, along with a 180Hz touch-sampling rate. These gaming-focused specs will apparently be joined by others that may make it smoother during this type of use.

The refreshed RTX 2060 / 2070 laptop GPUs have slightly higher clocks compared to the original Max-P versions and they feature similar hardware optimizations from the Super SKUs, including lower-voltage GDDR6 VRAM and improved current regulators. On average, these GPUs should provide at least 7% higher performance compared to the original Max-P models.

Snoreyn (aka designer Giuseppe Spinelli) has often impressed with a number of PS5-related concept designs and this latest effort is no different. The talented artist seems to have combined design language from the PS4 and the DualSense controller to come up with this new set of more than convincing PlayStation 5 console renders.

A blog has presented a new infographic showing the effect of the "coronavirus crisis" on gaming habits. It shows that 36% of causal gamers reported spending more time on this pursuit due to this situation, compared to 53% of non-casuals. In addition, it appears that, amidst a general market decline, stocks in gaming companies are up.

The official OnePlus Twitter channel has released a trailer for Crackables 2.0, a new version of a game premiered last year by the electronics OEM. This year, it is presented in partnership with Google, and consists of a series of puzzles, the fastest solvers of which will be invited to compete for the title of best player and US$10,000.